Prosecutors and Police Form Investigation Team for Hanwha Aerospace Explosion Prosecutors and police have launched a dedicated investigation team following an explosion at Hanwha Aerospace's Daejeon plant that resulted in seven casualties. According to Yonhap News, the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office announced that it has formed a 10-member team led by Chief Prosecutor Jeon Young-woo, consisting of three prosecutors and six investigators. The prosecutors emphasized their commitment to thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident and determine accountabil June 1, 2026

Major Banks Discuss Collaboration on Digital Assets Key personnel from major and regional banks gathered to discuss digital assets. On June 1, representatives from KB Kookmin Bank, Shinhan Bank, IBK Industrial Bank, and five regional banks, including iM Bank, Busan Bank, Gyeongnam Bank, Gwangju Bank, and Jeonbuk Bank, held a closed meeting at a hotel in Yeouido, Seoul. The meeting aimed to identify areas for joint action on digital assets and discuss various regulations. Participants reportedly collaborated on exploring the evolving role of banks June 1, 2026

Hanwha Chairman Kim Seung-yeon Mobilizes Group Resources for Hanwha Aerospace Incident Response Hanwha Group has established a special response task force under the direction of Chairman Kim Seung-yeon to address the explosion incident at the Hanwha Aerospace Daejeon plant. The group is focusing on recovery efforts, supporting the families of the victims, and treating the injured. In a statement released on June 1, Hanwha Group expressed its condolences, stating, "We mourn the loss of five valued employees in this tragic incident at the Hanwha Aerospace Daejeon plant. We extend our d June 1, 2026

Music and Social Inclusion Unite at Paradise City’s Asian Pop Festival Music and inclusion came together in early summer on Yeongjong Island. Paradise Group announced on June 1 that it hosted the "Asian Pop Festival 2026" and the "16th Aisori Festival" at Paradise City from May 30 to 31. The event featured 51 artists from seven Asian countries and 90 families of youth with developmental disabilities, conveying a profound message of solidarity and coexistence through culture and the arts. Now in its third year, the Asian Pop Festival (Apoppe) is a music festiv June 1, 2026

Kobe Port Combines Logistics and Entertainment, Showcasing the Future of Harbors Kobe Port, located in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, is challenging the perception of harbors as merely functional spaces for container and cargo ships. On May 29, the port was revealed as a waterfront area inviting visitors to explore. Opened in 1868, Kobe Port is one of Japan's three major trading ports, handling an average of over 2.1 million TEUs annually. The modern port began to take shape in the early 1900s, with significant developments in the new and central wharves by 1940. Kensuke Ki June 1, 2026

Surge in Abalone and Flounder Exports Boosts Fisheries in Japan "We aim to enhance the income of Korean fishermen by expanding the export of seafood products. Since our opening last March, we have achieved export results totaling 5.5 billion won," said Kim Dong-hee, head of the Korea Fisheries Association's Osaka office, during a meeting in Osaka on May 28. The Osaka office represents more than just a foreign branch; it serves as a 'local direct distribution platform.' Moving away from a reliance on private exporters, the association has established it June 1, 2026

K-Food Gains Popularity in Japan's Hyogo Prefecture Last year, K-Food achieved record-high exports, and the response in the Japanese market has been enthusiastic. To confirm the popularity of high-quality Korean seafood, a visit was made to the Uonotana Fish Market in Hyogo Prefecture on May 29. Upon entering the market, neatly packaged seafood caught the eye. A brief thought about whether Japanese consumers might prefer domestic products was quickly dispelled during an interview with a vendor, which highlighted the popularity of K-Food. T June 1, 2026

KDB Life Acquisition Race Expands to Five Contenders Including Samsung and Hanwha The acquisition race for KDB Life has expanded to five contenders, with Samsung Life, Hanwha Life, and Kyobo Life joining Korea Investment & Securities and Taekwang Group in the bidding process. Initially, the competition was expected to center around Korea Investment & Securities and Taekwang Group's affiliate, Heungkuk Life, but the participation of the top three life insurers has shifted focus to the upcoming final bidding. According to financial industry sources, the preliminary biddi June 1, 2026

Seoul Court Seeks Heavy Sentences for Presidential Security Officials The Special Prosecutor's Office for Insurrection, led by Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-seok, has requested severe sentences for top officials of the Presidential Security Service accused of obstructing the execution of an arrest warrant for former President Yoon Suk Yeol. The prosecution claims these officials mobilized the security service to hinder the court's enforcement of the warrant to evade criminal responsibility for Yoon. During a sentencing hearing on June 1 at the Seoul Central D June 1, 2026

37 of 52 Candidates for Local Elections Present Development Promises Without Budget Plans In the upcoming local elections, 37 out of 52 candidates for 16 metropolitan governments have proposed 92 development promises, but 78 of these (85%) lack budget allocations. The Citizen's Coalition for Economic Justice reported on June 1 that 37 candidates submitted at least one development promise to the National Election Commission.By party, 15 out of 16 candidates from the ruling Democratic Party, excluding Wi Seong-gon (Jeju), presented development promises, representing 94%. In the People June 1, 2026